Pendular

Arabic meter—so Arabic tradition claims—sprang from the rhythm of bodily motions, such as the pendular beating of the blacksmith and the trot of the horse and the camel.

The ice rose off the counter, attached to the salted string. Hasan’s eyes opened wide. Aba flicked a finger against the ice. String and ice started swaying back and forth. ‘For Salman, time is pendular,’ Aba repeated, pointing to the ice.